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April 29th – May 1st, 2024

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Registration 3/31/2024

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From the President

by John R. Harvey


March, 2024


After the tears.

AFTER THE TEARS.
What do you do after losing a close friend or loved one
one? Some cultures perform a wailing ritual as they do
carry the individual to their final resting place.
Much to my wife's dismay, I don't cry a lot. During
our seven years together, she has probably only
witnessed me cry three, maybe four times. The first time
was when she showed me a letter that she had written
to God asking him to bring to her someone who would
love and honor here. I quickly volunteered AFTER THE TEARS.

   What do you do after losing a close friend or loved one Some cultures perform a wailing ritual as they  carry the individual to their final resting place.

   Much to my wife's dismay, I don't cry a lot. During  our seven years together, she has probably only  witnessed

me cry three, maybe four times. The first time  was when she showed me a letter that she had written to God asking him to bring to her someone who would  love and honor her. I quickly volunteered.

   The second time was during a trip to Las Vegas.  We  had tickets to see a band called the “Bronx Wanderers.”

As a tribute to the veterans in the audience they sang 

 "We've Gotta Get Out of This Place", written by Barry  Mann and Cynthia Weil and originally performed by  the Animals.  As we sat in the audience the tears ran down my face, much to my wife's amazement.  I was  transported back to the rice paddies of 1967.

   In that moment, she saw the most tears she has ever  seen throughout our relationship. After the show she  went to the band and thanked them for allowing her to  see a side of me that she had never seen before. Generally,

my eyes may swell up and a single tear rolls  down my face.  Most times I am accused of simply  looking angry and ready to rip someone's face off.

   Three weeks ago, I got on an airplane and flew  1,600 miles to be by the side of my friend.  He was also  my racket ball team mate of 50 years and business  partner of 37 years.  As he lay in bed dying of brain  cancer, I spent two days standing by his bed holding his hand and reminiscing about the great times we had and  the clients we served.  He was generally unresponsive  but he let me know that he knew I was there by periodically squeezing my hand when I said something  he appreciated.  When I started to leave, his wife gave  me a huge hug and that single tear flowed down my  face.

    When I returned to Florida to await the news of his  passing, my wife met me at the door.  She became upset  when I did not express to her the deep emotions that she  knew that I was experiencing. I simply asked her to  leave me alone; that I would grieve in my own way.

He passed away four days later.  We immediately got  back on a plane for the return trip to Connecticut.  I was  honored to have been asked to be one of his pall bearers.  Even though we had spoken throughout his illness, I still felt like I hadn't done enough to let him know how much I loved and appreciated him.

   The past eight months have been an emotional roller  coaster.  The VDHA family first lost my close friend  John Sciascia in July, and then John Dupla in  November. I am sure that there are others I haven't  mentioned.

 The void that is left in our hearts is filled  with a sadness.  So "After the Tears" my suggestion is  that if there is someone in your life that you care about, reach out and tell them, as much as you can.

   I would invite everyone to attend this year's reunion  in Reno to provide the opportunity to express your  appreciation for their friendships.  If you cannot join us  or know someone who for health or financial reasons cannot join us, pick up your phone and give them a call.  I thank my VDHA family for the chance to say my goodbye's.

    I would remind everyone  that the

election of officers  takes place every other reunion. This year, the president  and treasurer positions are up for election. We also have  several unit director positions to fill.

 

The Deadline to submit Articles
for the March 2024 DogMan
issue is Feburary 23, 2024.
Please send to dogman@vdha.us

       The VDHA was organized in 1993 by a group of six veteran war dog handlers that served during the Vietnam Conflict. One of their original goals was to search for and re-unite veteran war dog handlers and honor the memory of their war dog partners.
       As a result, the VDHA has grown from six members to approximately 2000 members. Our membership consists of veteran war dog handlers and dog loving supporters of all ages and gender.
       Many members have been featured in the print and film media, and during many of our nation's annually scheduled patriotic events. A significant achievement is the highly acclaimed TV documentary, "War Dogs, America's Forgotten Heroes." We welcome the informational contributions of all dog handlers from all eras.
       The VDHA was founded with three core objectives in mind:
• Educate the public of the accomplishments of dog handlers in the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam Conflict and the dogs that served with them.
• Provide opportunities for the research and preparation of a detailed history of the use of dogs in the Vietnam Conflict.
• Locate and provide fellowship among dog handlers of all US Armed Services.
       The VDHA continues to be a part of war dog memorial projects throughout the country. Some have since been dedicated and more are on the horizon.
       Getting the US Postal Service to issue a War Dog Stamp that honors the service and sacrifice of the nation's war dogs is one of our goals.
       Educating the public on what these incredible four-footed animals have done to save American lives on the battlefields of foreign wars is always at the forefront of every effort we support or sponsor. During every modern War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq, men have volunteered to serve as "Dog Handlers." The military duty of having served with a dog in War is a bonding relationship and memorable experience like no other, that lasts a lifetime.

 

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